We are all called
to mystical union with God. But how do
we live that?
Consider this Sunday's story of Moses, who's at the end of his rope. Just prior to this week’s reading from the
Book of Numbers, the Israelistes are making demands Moses can’t seem to meet,
and Moses makes a simple request: please
do me the favor of killing me at once (Nm 11:15). But this is not in
God’s plan; instead, he sends Moses helpers in the form of seventy elders
called to prophesy with him. God sends the
spirit upon them – even on two, Eldad and Medad, who have not congregated with
the group at the Ark of the Covenant.
Swept up by what appears to be a mystical, ecstatic experience, Eldad
and Medad prophesy to those around them, graced by God and eager to share their
joy with those around them. Joshua objects, but Moses is thrilled: Would
that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!
Similarly, in
this week’s Gospel, an unidentified follower of Jesus is driving out demons in
Jesus’ name. John is distressed and
wants to stop him; Jesus, however, sees this man as an ally, someone who has
been drawn closer to God, through Christ, who is living the relationship and
experiencing the steadfast love of God, which enables him to share that
steadfast love with neighbor. Like Eldad
and Medad, he is experiencing the joy
of which the psalmist speaks, responding to Christ in his life by allowing God
to work through him to drive out demons.
We are all called
to mystical union with God, but we have to actively choose it, and choosing it means living for God before all
else. If we do so, we can make a
palpable difference in this world, and our actions will give witness to our own
transformation by the Spirit. Remember, the spirit
came to rest on them… And when the Spirit comes to rest upon us, we, too,
will be ecstatic with joy!
This reflection is based on notes from Fr. Pat's Thursday Scripture Class.
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